"Please protect the weak and helpless... this includes the animals!"

August 5, 2013 - Due to the emerging disharmony in Cairo and as Egypt seeks to stabilize its society, Egypt's Ministry of Interior recently published an official statement in which they mentioned that they will be using tear gas, poisoned gas and water canons to end the protest in El Nahda Square. This would occur close to Giza Zoo where about 2,600 animals spent their life in captivity.

These animals cannot defend themselves! They cannot run away, they can not put on gas masks, and they would inevitably suffocate to death! Plants and trees would also be affected...

Two years ago, during the unrest in Cairo, the use of tear gas outside the Israeli embassy, which is situated opposite of Giza Zoo, resulted in the death of some of the animals.

Only weeks ago, following more unrest that saw the President being taken out of office, celebrations included F16 fighter jets and helicopters flying over the city which caused the animals inside the zoo to panic. This resulted in the near deaths of the giraffes as well as other animals. Our beloved Meshmesh (the single remaining chimpanzee at Alexandria Zoo who suffered from depression and who had only a few months ago been transferred to Giza) suffered a heart attack from which he did not recover.

On August 4, 213, Egyptian animal rights activists hand over a personal letter to their Ministry of Interior "NO to tear gas!"

Dina Zulfikar, Doaa M. Sallam, Mariam Mohamed Aly and Ayman Brayz (Ahram newspaper) held a meeting with different representatives of the Egyptian government concerning the safety of the 2,600 animals who spend their life in captivity at Giza Zoo.

During this meeting with the Directorate of Security, the General Public Relation and the Security Directorate of Giza (Sherif Roshdy), they handed over a personal letter begging for the safety of the animals inside Giza Zoo.

Please HELP us to protect the animals at Giza Zoo.

Please sign our petition that sends instant emails to the Chairperson of the General Organization of Veterinary Services, Military General and Dr. Osama Selim, as well as to several other Egyptian government officials.

with deep concern we watch the emerging disharmony in Cairo, and as Egypt seeks to stabilize its society, may we appeal to you to help to achieve and protect its civilization - a central tenet of which is to protect the weak and helpless. Civilization is built on such principles...

Dear General, we are aware that you have a lot of work and more than one worry, especially now, in these turbulent times, but we really need to talk to you concerning the safety of the animals that are being held captive at Giza Zoo. They are under your responsibility and their safety lies in your hands, too.

Two years ago, during the unrest in Cairo, the use of tear gas outside the Israeli embassy, which is situated opposite of Giza Zoo, resulted in the death of some of the animals.

Only weeks ago, following more unrest that saw the President being taken out of office, celebrations included F16 fighter jets and helicopters flying over the city which caused the animals inside the zoo to panic. This resulted in the near deaths of the giraffes as well as other animals. Our beloved Meshmesh (you remember the single remaining chimpanzee at Alexandria Zoo who suffered from depression and who had only a few months ago been transferred to Giza) suffered a heart attack from which he did not recover.

In a recent statement of your Ministry of Interior, they mentioned that they will be using tear gas, poisoned gas and water canons to end the protest in El Nahda Square. This would occur close to Giza Zoo where about 2,600 animals spent their life in captivity. These animals cannot defend themselves. They cannot run away, they can not put on gas masks and they would inevitably suffocate to death! Plants and trees would also be affected.

As you most certainly know, yesterday, August 4, 2013, Dina Zulfikar, Doaa M. Sallam, Mariam Mohamed Aly and Ayman Parayez (Ahram newspaper) had a meeting with different representatives of your government during which they handed over a personal letter begging them to assure the safety of the animals at Giza Zoo.

In Giza there is a place where people can escape for a while, away from the anger, from the violence. Giza Zoo IS this oasis in your troubled city but it is now at serious risk.

The use of tear gas to quell any disturbance will result in many animals dying... maybe all. This place of hope, for the people, for the children, for the quest to achieve normality, will be lost... taken away.

We implore you, when controlling any street disharmony, please apply professional consideration and use alternative strategies to control the disturbance. In case this cannot be guaranteed, then an evacuation of all animals outside of Cairo, in one of your other governmental zoos, must be considered before it's too late!

Dear General, it's your duty to protect the weak and helpless... and this includes the animals!